Canton is considering a moratorium on cryptocurrency mining, data center operations and server farms. The moratorium would freeze any applications or permits from going through while the town creates zoning ordinances to regulate those facilities. “An ordinance will be forthcoming at some point, but until then, this ceases the possibility,” said Mayor Zeb Smathers at a Canton town board meeting Thursday night. “It’s fair to say our ordinances are not ready to handle this new technology.”
A crackdown on crypto mining has swept Western North Carolina due largely to the constant deafening noise from the banks of computer servers, which has been blamed with ruining lives of those who live nearby. Waynesville banned crypto mining outright, while Haywood County imposed regulations limiting where such operation can locate. The town will hold a public hearing on the moratorium at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in the town hall building on Summer Street. “This is the time for the public to weigh in on this issue, and it’s obviously an important part of decision making,” Smathers said.
N.C. Rep. Mark Pless, who pushed for a state law that now prohibits Maggie Valley from using moratoriums, attended Canton’s meeting to show his support for this potential freeze on development. “I’m not a fan of moratoriums,” Pless said. “But I think this is a different situation.” The public hearing will give citizens a chance to decide if a moratorium would protect the town or hurt it. Whatever the board decides to do, Pless said he would support it.
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